We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adrianna Willis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Adrianna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Our company is known for many things, but our expertise in the Crown Specialist field is the pinnacle of our success. With the power of feminine energy, we have empowered women to become strong and confident. At Mind the Crown, we believe that if the crown doesn’t fit, it’s our job to fix it.
It all began with a dream of empowering women to find joy, peace, and happiness within themselves. We understand that every woman is unique and beautiful in her way, with her strengths and weaknesses. Our goal is to amplify that light within every woman by transforming their old patterns into beautiful new ones with our radical self-care products.
Our journey has had its ups and downs, but our focus has always been to offer encouragement through our self-care products and build a community of women to hold each other accountable on our self-care journey. At Mind the Crown, We are committed to supporting Black and women-owned businesses, as we believe that we rise by lifting others.
Today, our story is one of empowerment and achievement. Join us at Mind the Crown, and let us help you fix your crown, so that you can rule your life with confidence and grace. Remember, you are worth it.
Adrianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As CEO and founder of Mind the Crown, my personal experiences have shaped our mission. My journey of self-discovery and transformation is a testament that it’s never too late to prioritize your well-being and pursue your dreams, even while juggling a full-time job in a busy corporate environment. I believe in the potential of Mind the Crown to transform women’s lives, and I’m committed to our mission. Our core values are centered around promoting healthy lifestyles, rejecting unrealistic societal expectations, and emphasizing self-care. Our products serve as a reminder and tool for women to become the best versions of themselves.
At Mind the Crown, we offer customizable staff appreciation gifts that embody our holistic approach to well-being and prioritize self-care. We believe that prioritizing self-care is relevant both personally and professionally.
As a mission-driven business established by Adrianna Willis, our goal is to provide women with a secure environment where they can access self-care items and tools to support their mental and emotional well-being. We offer a range of affirmation decks, Woosah journals, gift baskets, and Soft Life Ministry on Facebook, as well as Self Love Box Parties held across the country. Our products are designed to encourage self-care and help women support each other. We are committed to sourcing 10% of our products from other Black-owned and women-owned businesses, fostering a spirit of collaboration and empowerment while creating a community of generational wealth and brand awareness.
At Mind the Crown, we strive to empower women of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that self-discovery and self-care are not only essential but also life changing. Join us on a journey towards a softer and more fulfilling life. For more information on Mind the Crown and our mission, please visit our website at www.mindthecrown.com.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
Understanding the Pros and Cons of Selling on Your Own Website versus Amazon
Selling products online can be done in a variety of ways, but two popular options are creating your own website or selling on Amazon. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages to consider. With your own website, you have full control over branding, which is important for creating a unique identity for your business. You also have the potential for higher profit margins. However, there are challenges to consider, such as generating traffic and visibility to your site, building trust with potential customers, technical knowledge, and costs.
On the other hand, selling on Amazon provides built-in traffic and trust, as well as fulfillment options and global reach. However, there are downsides, such as increased competition, fees, limited branding opportunities, limited customer data, and policy changes.
Many e-commerce businesses decide to use a combination of both options to leverage the advantages of Amazon’s customer base while building their brand and customer relationships through their own website. It’s important to carefully consider your business model, target audience, and long-term objectives when making this decision.
Currently, I am part of Amazon’s Black Accelerator program, which has helped me gain insights into navigating the world of being an Amazon seller while building brand awareness. My goal is to put the majority of my products on this site to free up my time for the services I offer, such as Self Love Box Parties and custom orders. Additionally, I plan to expand my speaking engagements across the region to provide tips on freeing yourself from the superwomen myth and living a softer life.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Starting a business is a difficult task that requires persistence, patience, and determination. Securing funding can be a daunting task, especially if you are a self-funded startup. In my case, I opted to use credit cards, which I maxed out, to fund my business. However, the majority of investors tend to scrutinize your personal finances, adding to the pressure for startups. Self-funding a startup business using credit cards can be a challenging endeavor. Despite the quick access to funds, it requires careful budgeting, debt management, and financial discipline. You also run the risk of high-interest rates, late payment fees, and other financial challenges that can affect both your business and personal credit score.
In addition to managing credit card debt, self-funded startups often face other financial obstacles. These include recurring expenses like insurance, website maintenance, and networking events, as well as unexpected costs like lost or damaged inventory. Furthermore, grants and programs that provide financial assistance to startups are often only available for specific areas, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to access the resources they need.
Despite these challenges, self-funding your startup can offer more control over your business and allow you to retain more equity. However, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before making this decision. If given the chance, I would not have funded my business using credit cards. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic that my business will eventually achieve sustainability.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mindthecrown.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/mind_the_crown_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindthecrown
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MindtheCrownLLC?si=3Uovp4pJl6Oz3S-g